With the end of the year, as well as the decade, looming large in everyone's vision, many are taking time to reflect upon the people, places and events that have made our current trip around the sun yet another interesting, fun and adventurous one (we hope).
With that reflection usually comes contemplation of the future and what lies ahead. Whether it is getting out and flying more, getting that restoration project started or moved further along, or finally getting to attend the AAA/APM Invitational Fly-in in your antique/classic aircraft, the coming year will as always prove to be an interesting one for those involved in antique airplanes.
Here at Antique Airfield we look forward to the coming year and the opportunities that will arise to help us further our goals and broaden our membership.
Currently we are putting the finishing touches on the latest issue of the Antique Airfield Runway that we plan to go to press with next week. Included in that issue will be the official announcement of the 2010 AAA/APM Fly-in (Sep 1-6, 2010) theme and featured aircraft. This news will also be appearing here on the web site in the very near future so check back soon and often.
I would also like to report on the progress of the APM Restoration & Maintenance Center. While an early winter precluded any construction work getting accomplished we have moved forward with planning and fund raising. We hope to very soon have available a completed floor plan and 3D model of the final design for the facility. We have managed to find a way to expand the building slightly to give us an overall size of 76' x 40'. The roof line has also changed to mate up to the museum storage hangar in a more functional manner eliminating some potential drainage problems. The steel trusses for the roof have been purchased and will be delivered here to Antique Airfield in the spring.
Fund raising for this facility in the form of our "Buy-a-Foot" campaign has been well received and continues to help us accrue the funds necessary to build and equip this facility. At present 1039 sq ft of the available 2840 sq ft (36.58%) has been spoken/paid for totaling, as of today, $25,975. Along with other pledges of money, materials and Jim Miller's seed money we have grossed over $44,000 in our efforts to get the facility built.
But if you want to join the ranks of Antique Airfield Ambassadors and get your "piece of the rock", you better act quickly. That is if you want your donation to the APM Restoration & Maintenance Center to be deductible on your 2009 taxes (the APM being a tax deductible IRS 501 (C) (3) organization). Any donations postmarked or received via PayPal by tomorrow will be eligible for deductibility on your 2009 tax return.
There is more exciting news on the horizon for the APM and we will share that with you as soon as is possible but until then, the staff here at Antique Airfield, the directors and volunteers of the AAA and APM and our web master Russell Williams wish you all a "Happy New Year". Looking forward to seeing you in 2010.
Brent Taylor
